Date of Defense
12-17-2021
Date of Graduation
12-2021
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Jim Butterfield
Second Advisor
Thomas Kostrzewa
Third Advisor
Manuel Soque
Abstract
Self-determination is accepted as an international right of all people, yet in many cases it still takes decades of struggle to achieve it. Through comparative analysis of the selfdetermination and independence struggles of East Timor and Western Sahara, conclusions can be drawn as to why some former colonies are able to achieve these goals while others do not. In order to better understand the challenges associated with self-determination, I evaluate the two cases based on four overarching factors which influence the process: statehood criteria and imagined community status, colonialism and occupation, presence of natural resources, and international recognition. I argue that it is the will of the occupying or colonizing state and the actions of the international community, along with the power of human resilience, that are most important to the success of a self-determination effort.
Recommended Citation
Baratta, Emma, "The Struggle for Self-Determination: A Comparative Analysis of East Timor and Western Sahara" (2021). Honors Theses. 3486.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3486
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Defense Presentation
Included in
Comparative Politics Commons, International Relations Commons, Other Political Science Commons